We are in the midst of another heatwave here in Berlin and it’s taking its toll. We actually hit 35°C last Friday which can be quite exhausting in the city. I was so tired all over the weekend, I cuddled up with the dogs and slept most of the day. Thermoregulation works in mysterious ways. Lucky for us there are some hacks that can make your life much more comfortable during a heatwave. Here are 5 of my favourite tricks for staying happy and comfortable despite the temperatures.
1. HAVE A SIESTA
Stay out of the sun around noon. This age-old practice from Mediterranean countries has a lot going for it. UV radiation is strongest in the hours around solar noon, which means roughly between 11am and 3pm.
2. EAT MELONS
Melons are actually among the best hydrating foods ever. Plus, they are super tasty, reduce the craving for sweets and make for a light meal any time of day. They provide your body with vitamins and water at the same time. A 2009 study at the University of Aberdeen Medical School found that the combination of salts, minerals and natural sugars in some fruits and vegetables can actually hydrate people more effectively than plain water or even sports drinks. And there are so many varieties to choose from!
3. DRINK TEA
We all know that we should pay attention to our drinking habits in order to stay hydrated (pun intended). While an ice cold drink is great for refreshment once in a while drinks should actually be around body temperature to have the best effect. Otherwise your body will heat up in an attempt to process the liquid. Heat is produced as a bi-product of metabolism after all. So cooling down with a hot drink is not as crazy as it sounds. Lukewarm green tea really does it for me!
4. THE RIGHT FABRIC
One tends to forget what a difference the right fabric can make especially as many of the reasonably priced clothing ranges rely heavily on poly and synthetic fabric. There is nothing like natural fabrics for hot weather! Seriously. Their secret is breathability. This means pick cotton, linen or even silk. For work I wear cotton whenever I can because it is by far the most versatile and can be washed easily. Silk is usually very lightweight and has temperature regulating effects but it does need special care when washing. Linen fabric is great for summer but does crinkle easily which is not everyone’s cup of tea. Wearing loose-fitting clothes is another hack that can safe lives on hot days at the office.
5. FIND A HAIRSTYLE
…that cools your neck (if you have long hair). This is often overlooked but does make a hell of a difference. My hair is long and rather thick and wearing it open in the sun quickly gets uncomfortable. A simple braid works really well for me and has an instant cooling effect. But there’s a myriad of hairstyles and fashionable accessories to chose from when you want to wear your hair up.
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